MLP not to act against 'weak' local councillor

The Labour Party will not be proceeding against Ivan Bartolo, the Labour Party councillor in Mosta who on Monday night voted with Nationalist councillors for a motion urging people to vote for European Union membership.

Contacted yesterday, MLP general secretary Jimmy Magro said: "We have a campaign to push. We will not push other people's campaigns. We shall not be taking any steps as a party.

"He (Mr Bartolo) has a weak character. We should pray for such people and hope they find a solution," Mr Magro said.

On Monday night, Mr Bartolo read out a declaration at the council meeting saying why he was voting in favour of a motion urging people in Mosta to vote for EU membership and urged other Labour supporters to do the same.

Mr Bartolo argued that the MLP forms part of the social-democrats and should be in favour of EU membership.

"I feel I should join other social democrats and like them urge all Maltese, especially workers, not to lose this unique opportunity and to go to vote in favour of EU membership.

"By voting yes, Labour supporters would not be negating Labour principles. On the contrary, they would be sustaining their Labour beliefs," Mr Bartolo said before voting in favour of the motion.

Contacted yesterday, Mr Bartolo said he was astonished he was being called weak when he had made a declaration which went against the party line.

"If anyone is weak it is those who have the same principles as myself and will be voting yes in the referendum but are afraid to speak out. There are many of them who wish they are able to speak out, but considering the prevailing atmosphere in the party, I can understand why they do not speak," Mr Bartolo said.